Valve mechanism for cement gunning machines



ug. 16, 1960 G. M. PRO

vALvE MECHANISM FOR CEMENT GUNNING MACHINES Filed March '7, 1955 UnitedStates 'Patent' OE ice VALVE MECHANISM FOR CEMENT GUNNING MACHINESGeorge M. Pro, Leawood, Kans., assignor to Air Placement EquipmentCompany, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 7, 1955,Ser. No. 492,397

6 Claims. (Cl. 251-86) This invention has to do with improvments inclosuremechanism and more particular to novel arrangement of parts fortightly sealing a port for a receptacle or the like and includingmanually operable means for moving the closure to and from a closedposition.

It is the most important object of the present invention to providevalving mechanism that is particularly adapted for use in connectionwith machines for handling cementitious materials and capable of closingan inlet port of a hopper or other receptacle forming a part of themachine in a substantially air-tight condition without interference bythe gritty or sandy characteristics of the materials being handled whichnormally render it diflicult to provide a satisfactory seal and renderit diicult also to move the valve mechanism to and from the closedposition.

Another important object of the instant invention is to provide closuremeans especially adapted for the aforementioned uses and having theunique advantage of being easily manipulated by virtue of its shape,configuration and manner of movement, permitting the closure to slideeasily through the materials as the same is shifted to and from a closedposition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure that is mountedfor oating movement in a manner to permit shifting thereof into tightsealing relationship with a compressible seat as the receptacle ispressurized and which closure automatically shifts away from the seatupon release of the pressure to avoid all ditiiculty of movement thereofto and from the port-closing position.

A further object of this invention is the provision of mechanism of theaforementioned character which utilizes the advantages inherent incooperative sealing relationship made .possible by the use of a closureconsisting of a segment of a sphere presenting a convex surface thatengages a circular, compressible seat or seal when the closure is inclosed relationship to the port `of the receptacle.

' A still further o-bject of the instant invention is to provide aclosure and seat of the character just above described wherein the saidclosure consists of a segment of aA hollow sphere and wherein suchclosure is swingable to and from a closed position whereby iteffectively slides through the cementitious materials and therebyfacilitates the opening and closing operations.

Other objects include the way -in which `the closure 4is mounted on arotatable shaft for swinging movement to and vfrom a closed position asthe shaft is rotated; the Way in which the closure is shiftable withrespect to the shaft radially thereof toward and away from theaforementioned compressible seat; the manner of rotatably mounting theclosure with respect tothe shaft; the way in which there is providedadjustable stopmeans for limiting the extent of radial movement oftheclosure toward and away from the shaft; the manner of utilizingrelatively telescoped, tubular elements for mounting the closure on theshaft; the way in which the seat or seal aforementioned is mounted forquick and easy replacement; and many additional more minor objectsincluding important details of construction, all of which will be madeclear as the following specification progresses, reference being had tothe accompanying drawing, wherein the single gure is a fragmentary,vertical, substantially central, cross-sectional view through a machinefor handling cementitious materials and showing a pair of valvemechanisms embodying the principles of the instant invention.

The machine shown by the drawing and chosen for illustration of thenovel Ivalve or closure mechanism of the instant invention, consists ofthree conical hoppers 10, 12 and 14, superimposed and in communicatingrelationship. Hoppers 12 and 14 are provided with domeshaped tops 16 and18 respectively that are in turnprovided with inlet ports 20 and 22respectively, and the lowermost open ends of hoppers 10 and 12 registerdirectly with ports 20 and 22 respectively.

The lowermost hopper 14 is provided with stationary shelf 24 and a feedWhee126, together with an agitator 28 that are operably mounted on adriving stud 30. The stud 36 is in turn attached to a shaft 32 emanatingfrom a gear box 34 and rotated by a suitable prime mover such as an airmotor 36. Cementitious materials Within the hopper 14 are delivered to aposition 4beneath the shelf 24 and thence into a discharge 38.

Compressed air is directed to the system through a pipe 40 coupled witha suitable source of air pressure (not shown) through pressureregulators and the like, which compressed air ows through a valve 42when the latter is opened and thence through a hose 44 to the discharge'38 and thence through a material-receiving hose,

not shown, to the atmosphere for high velocity placement of the materialon any surface to be coated therewith.

Compressed air also enters the hopper 12 througha valve 46 when thelatter is opened and into the hopper 14 through a pipe 48. An outletpipe S0 communicating with the hopper 12, exhausts the system ofcompressed air upon opening of a control valve 52. The material to behandled Vthrough use of a machine of this type is initially fed into theopen top hopper 10.

The valving or closing mechanisms broadly `designated by the numerals 54and 56 for ports 20 and 22 respectively, are identical and therefore,the same identifying numerals will hereinafter be employed anddifferentiated by use of the letter a with vrespect to the componentparts of valve mechanism 56. Valve 5S consists of a segment of a hollowsphere presenting therefore, a con- Vex, uppermost surface 60 thatcooperates with a seat or seal 62 to close the port 20 when in theposition illustrated in the drawings. g g

A ring 64 mounted on the innermost face of top 16 of hopper 12 inconcentric relationship to the port 20, has a frustoconical innermostedge 66 provided with a circular groove 68 that is semi-circular orslightly greater than semi-circular in cross-sectional configuration forreceiving the seal 62. Seal 62 is in the nature of a continuous circularO-ring of compressible material such as rubber and remains seated withinthe lgroove 68 without need of additional attachment thereof to the ring64. Consequently, when the seal 62 becomes suftciently worn to requirereplacement, it can be easily slipped from place and la new seal or seat62 snapped into place Within the groove 68.

The diameter o f the sealing member 62 should be slightly less than thediameter of the closure 58 at its circular peripheral edge 70 so thatthe closure 58v en the diameter of the sealing member 62 is greatertharrthel `ralentit Aeg.A is, v196.0l

3 minimum diameter of ring 64 and the diameter of port 20.

Closure 58 is mounted upon a horizontal shaft 72 extending transverselyof the hopper 12 and rotatably carried thereby through any suitablebearing structure which will additionally present an adequate seal whenthe system is pressurized with compressed air. Shaft 72 is rotatedthrough the medium of a manual handle 74 secured thereto exteriorly ofthe hopper 12,A the extent of swinging movement of the handle 74 beinglimited by outwardly extending stops 76 and 78 mounted on the hopper 12.

A radially extending tube Si! within the hopper 1 2 is secured at oneend thereof rigidly to the shaft 72 and` telescopically receives asleeve 82 for free reciprocjable and rotative movement with respect totube 89. One end of the sleeve 82 extends into a tubular stud 84 forminga part of the closure '58 within which the sleeve 82 tightly lits.

A radial pin 86 Within the tube 80 intersects the shaft 72 and isthreaded within the latter. lOne end of the pin 86 extends beyond thetube 80 for engagement by the closure 58 and a lock nut S8 at theopposite end of the pin 86 holds the latter in pre-selected adjustedpositions with respect to the shaft 72.

' In normal operation, valve 58 is closed and valve 58a is open asillustrated. Valves 42 `and 46 are both open andthe exhaust valve 52 isclosed. Under such conditions the hoppers 12 and 14 are pressurizedequally and the valve 58 is held tightly sealed against its seat 62 bysuch pressure Within the system.

lvlaterial within the hopper 14 is fed to beneath the shelf 24 byagaitator 28 and in turn fed to the discharge 38 by feeder 26 uponoperation of the prime mover 36. Such material is forced from` thedischarge 38 to the material-handling hose aforementioned by airpressurewithin the hose 44, it beingA understood that the latter is operablycoupled with such materialrfeeding hose.

While die closure 58 is thus closed, additional material, which consistsof sand, cement and the` like, may be fed into the hopper 10 randultimately fed to the hoppers 12 and 14 in the following manner, allwithout interrupting the continued placement thereof on surfaces beingcoated therewith.

Closure 58a is first moved to the closed position seated against itsseal 62a by manipulation of the handle 74a and into engagement with stop76a. Thereupon, the valve 46 is closed and the valve 5,2 isV opened toexhaust the air pressure from hopper 12. Pressure is maintained in` thehopper 14 by virtue of the pipe 48 communicating withV pipe 40 and suchpressure within the hopper 14 acts upon the closure 58u to hold thelatter sealed tightly against the seat 62.

Phe closure 58 is thereupon opened by swinging the handle 74 from itsposition against stop 78. The material in hopper l is thereby'permittedto drop into the hopper 12, whereupon the closure 58 is again moved tothe position engaging' seat 62 and closing Lport 20.

Thereupon, the operator closes valve 52 and opens the valve 46, therebyequalizing the pressure within hoppers 12 and 14 land causing theclosure 58 to seat tightly against the seal 62. 'llhe handle 74a maythereupon be again manipulated to swing the same against the stop 78aand open the closure 58a. The material within the hopper 12 then dropsthrough the port 22 and into the hopper 14. Y Y f It is to be noted`that the stops 78 and 78a are so positioned as to maintain closures 58Vand 58a in partial engagement with their seats 62 and 62arespectively,Wheuftfhe closures are in open positions.

It is particularly notable that the closures` S8. and 58a may beiswungto Yand from their closedV positionsrwithout the necessity of waitinguntil the respective hoppers *1 ing with the resilient seats 62 and 62a,effective prevent lodgment of the particles of the materials between theseats and the valves such as to prevent the establishment of anair-tight closure for the ports 20 and 22.

The extent of drag or frictional engagement between the surfaces 60 and60a and their seats 62 and 62a may be adjusted by manipulation of thepins 86 and 86a, thereby limiting the extent of movement of the valvestoward the shafts 72 and 72a. After adjustment, the lock nuts 88 and 88amay be tightened to hold the pins S6 and 86a. These pins however, haveno effect upon movement of the valves away from the shafts '72 and 72atoward the seats `62 and 62a and, therefore, when the hoppers 12 and 14are pressurized, the valves will be forced tightly into closed positionsas above indicated. The valves not only float with respect to the shafts72 and 72a toward and away from the latter in a radial direction, butarefreely rotatable about such radial axes and therefore, during continueduse of the machine the valves will seat in different positions andthereby prevent grooving, as well as maintain the surfaces 64B and 60asmooth and slick. Since there is -no differential pressure upon thevalves 58 and 58a during manipulation thereof to and from their closedpositions, they will slide through the material and with respect to theseals 62 and 62a without diiiiculty.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new land desiredto 'be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of Iapressure hopper for said material having `a material inlet port and acircular seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopperhaving an inner `face and a convex outer face shaped substantially inconformity with a sector of 4a sphere, said outer face normally bearingagainst the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversingthe hopper andV rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extension mountedon the shaft Within the hopper; and means on said inner face 4of thevalve mounting the latter on the extension for radial movement relativeto the shaft toward and away from the seat, and swinging movement withthe extension to and from a position opening the port upon rotation ofthe shaft, said seat being resilient whereby material Ibecoming lodgedybetween the seat and the valve when the latter is closed is pressedinto the seat by pressure in the hopper acting on the valve, therebymaintaining a seal around the seat.

2. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination 'of apressure hopper Yfor said material having a material inlet port Iand acircular seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hoppershaped substantially in conformity with a sector of a hollow sphere,presenting `a concave inner face, and a convex outer face normallybearing against the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shafttraversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extensionmounted on the shaft within the hopper; and means on said inner face ofthe valve mounting the latter on the extension for nadia-l movementrelative to the shaft toward and away from the seat, and swingingmovement with the extension to and from a positionopening the port uponrotation ofthe shaft, said valve having a relatively sharp, circular,peripheral edge capable of sliding easily through the material in thehopper upon rotation of the shaft,

said seat being resilient whereby material becoming lodged between theseat Iand the valve when theV latter is closed is pressed 'into the seatby pressure in thehopf.

per acting on the valve, thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

3. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of apressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and acircuit seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopperhaving an inner face and a convex outer face shaped substantially inconformity with a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearingagainst the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversingthe hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extension mounted onthe shaft within the hopper; and a tube secured to said inner face ofthe valve and loosely telescoped on said extension for mounting thevalve on the extension for radial movement relative to the shaft towardand away from the seat, rotation relative to the extension, and swingingmovement with the extension to and from a position opening the port uponrotation of the shaft, said seat being resilient whereby materialbecoming lodged between the seat and the valve when the latter is closedis pressed into the seat by pressure in the hopper acting on the valve,thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

4. In a machine -for handling particulate material, the combination of apressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and acircular seat in the hopper adjacent the port; la valve in the hopperhaving an inner face and Ia convex outer -face shaped substantially inconformity Iwith a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearingagainst the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversingthe hopper and rotatably oarried thereby; a lateral, tubular extensionmounted on the shaft within the hopper; -a tube secured to said innerface of the valve and loosely telescoped on said extension for mountingthe valve on the extension for radial movement relative to the shafttoward and away from the seat, rotation relative to the extension, andswinging movement with the extension to and from a position opening theport upon rotation of the shaft; and a radial rod secured to the shaftand extending through the extension toward the valve for engagementthereby to limit the extent of radial movement of the valve toward theshaft.

5. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of apressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and acircuit seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopperhaving an inner face and a convex outer face shaped substantially inconformity with `a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearingagainst the seat in closing relationship to the port; `a shafttraversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral, tubularextensionmounted on the shaft within the hopper; a tube secured to saidinner face of the valve and loosely telescoped on said extension formounting the valve on the extension for radial movement relative to theshaft toward and away Afrom the seat, rotation relative to theextension, and swinging movement vwith the extension to and from aposition opening the port upon rotation of the shaft; and a radial rodsecured to the shaft and extending through the extension toward thevalve for engagement thereby to limit the extent of radial movement ofthe valve toward the shaft, said rod intersecting the shaft and beingshiftable transversely thereof whereby to vary the extent of movement ofthe valve toward the shaft.

6. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of apressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and agrooved ring in the hopper adjacent the port; la circular 0-ring seatdetachably secured to the ring within the groove thereof; a valve in thehopper having an inner face and a convex outer face shaped substantiallyin conformity with a sector of a sphere, said outer face normallybearing against the seat lin closing relationship to the port; a shafttraversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extensionmounted on the shaft within the hopper; and means on said `inner face ofthe valve mounting the latter on the extension for radial movementrelative to the shaft toward and -away from the seat, and swingingmovement with the extension to and 'from a position opening the portupon rotation of the shaft, said seat being resilient whereby materialIbecoming lodged between the seat and the valve lwhen the latter isclosed is pressed into the seat yby pressure in the hopper acting on thevalve, thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 730,646Havekotte lune 9, 1903 960,857 Eggert June 7, 1910 1,105,209 SauchereauIuly 28, 1914 1,122,499 Haynes Dec. 29, 1914 1,654,015() Page Dec. 27,1927 2,602,498 Overton July 8, 1952 2,654,517 Corradini et al. Oct. 6,1953 2,694,414 Seyferth Nov. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,922 GreatBritain of 1910 468,991 Great Britain of 1937

